The Belgian Hare is a beautiful domesticated rabbit that has resulted from careful breeding. Belgian Hares, like a wild hare, are attractive while also being intelligent and wary. The Belgian Hare is a popular pet because of its beautiful appearance and intelligence.
Belgian Hares, like any other pet, require specific attention and care. Read on if you’re considering acquiring a Belgian Hare.
This article will discuss all you need to know about caring for a Belgian Hare. We also address any questions you may have about this breed.
Overall Description
- Size: Large
- Weight: 6-9 pounds
- Lifespan: 7-11 years
The Belgian Hare is considered a fancy breed of rabbit rather than a genuine hare. It is a domesticated hare that has been bred to resemble the wild Hare. This rabbit is huge, but his physique is lean and athletic. It has long, muscular legs that enable it to sprint, jump, and maneuver like a genuine hare.
The Belgian Hare was developed to look like a wild hare. This breed has a long, muscular physique with an arched back as a result of this. Their heads are long, their tails are straight and parallel to their backbones, and their ears are tall, somewhat broad, and upright.
Coat and Color
The American Rabbit Breeders Association accepts only one color of Belgian Hare coat: vivid tin rust with a red/orange tinge. The whole body is covered with this hue, with lighter-colored eye circles and “ticking” on specific regions of its body, such as the upper back and hips.
Belgian Hares are common, although purebreds are rare. A purebred Belgian Hare is threatened, according to the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
Belgian Hares are generally thought to be excellent companion animals. They are said to be the only farmed rabbit breed with a reddish-brown coat. To put it another way, this rabbit will stand out among bunny pets. They are intelligent animals, often responding to their names.
Temperament
Because of its size and athletic temperament, the Belgian Hare requires more care than other rabbit breeds. An essential consideration is that this rabbit is quickly frightened and anxious. It may jump in the air and cause a running frenzy inside its habitat when irritated. As a result, your pet rabbit is vulnerable to injury.
The Belgian Hare, on the other hand, enjoys being petted and cuddled when it is calm. In the hands of its owner, it is usually relatively calm. Typically, this breed is kept as a show rabbit rather than a pet.
Fun fact: Breeders and experts take extra precautions to avoid frightening their Belgian Hare by playing loud classical music inside the barn all day.
How to Care For a Belgium Hare
Many people think that because Belgian Hares are so huge, they eat a separate diet from other rabbits. Belgian hares don’t have any specific dietary needs.
Diet and Nutrition
Like any other rabbit, Belgian Hares need to have regular access to fresh water and high-quality hay.
Roughage, such as hay, can help to clear obstructions and malocclusions. Hay is an indigestible fiber that is essential for a healthy digestive tract. Over alfalfa, clover, and legumes, hay, particularly timothy, is the best option.
Legume hays have a significant protein, calcium, and calorie content, and if consumed in excess, can lead to kidney stones and obesity. Kits and nursing females are generally given this sort of hay.
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Housing
Because of their size, Belgian hares should be housed in a huge outdoor enclosure. The rabbit will have sufficient space to play, run, and mingle in this fashion. On the other hand, the outdoor cage should be built such that the rabbit is comfortable and safe even on chilly nights. Belgian hares can withstand near-freezing temperatures outside, but they still want a warm bed.
Use a solid floor and not wire floors for Belgian Hares. The Hare’s front feet will not be effectively supported by the 1/2 x 1-inch wire normally used for flooring, which can result in damaged toes and toenails. These solid flooring should be covered with a layer of clean, bright straw, shredded computer paper, or anything else you have on hand.
To prevent the rabbit from escaping and predators from entering the cage, the cage should be well-built. You may keep it in an indoor cage and take it outside for fresh air and sunlight daily. Place the outside cage in a shady, cool location away from any water or dampness.
Grooming
Belgian hares have short, glossy hair that requires brushing regularly. Brush their coat to keep it clean and shiny, as well as to keep bugs away. Scrub the coat with a tiny brush once a week.
During their molting stage, you should groom them more regularly. This will avoid wool blockages and fur ingestion, which can build up the digestive tract and cause obstruction and other problems.
If your rabbit is filthy, don’t bathe him since it will stress him out. Spot clean your pet rabbit can be done with a wet cloth. Wipe your Belgian Hare down with a damp towel before drying the fur with a dry one.
Belgian Hare Health
The Belgian Hare is a sturdy rabbit that is inherently healthy. However, certain problems such as bloating, enteritis, and infections may still afflict this rabbit.
Rabbits kept in captivity are susceptible to common rabbit diseases. As a result, you must continually keep an eye on your rabbit’s health and disposition. Any changes might indicate that you’re sick.
Standard immunizations should be obtained from a veterinarian for your rabbit. Typically, the doctor will perform tests to examine your pet’s general health and growth. Enteritis, bloat, and GI stasis must all be examined on your rabbits. These are especially vital for rabbits under the age of two months.
Check for parasites in the ears or fur, such as mites, fleas, and ticks. A lack of appetite, nose and ocular secretions, diarrhea, changes in the form and color of droppings, and vomiting are all symptoms.
Those with a shaky stride, restlessness, grating teeth, or drowsiness should be sent to the veterinarian right once. Deworming is also required. Deworming is necessary for all rabbit breeds and should be done in the spring and fall.
The teeth of a rabbit, such as the Belgian Hare, are essential for its care. Because its teeth develop so quickly, this rabbit needs frequent checkups. Dental health, like that of human teeth, begins at home.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Possible To Keep a Belgian Hare as a Pet?
Only Belgian hares raised in captivity can be kept as pets because they can be trained to be obedient, patient, and quiet. Wild rabbits are anxious and timid, and they may not adapt well to living in a household.
Should You Go Searching for a Belgian Hare in the Woods?
Picking a wild animal out of the woods is never a good idea. You won’t be able to tame it, and you won’t be able to keep it as a pet. If you see an injured animal and want to help, don’t hesitate to contact animal services right away.
Is the Belgian Hare for You?
Belgian Hares are a gorgeous and fancy rabbit breed popular as both a pet and a show rabbit. These bunnies are not for everyone, despite their beauty.
This rabbit breed is ideal for you if you have a big outdoor enclosure suited for Belgian Hares and enjoy the concept of owning an intelligent and energetic rabbit.
Belgian Hares are pretty easy to care for and should not cause you any problems. All you have to do is keep them away from other animals, keep an eye on their teeth, and feed them properly.
